Hockey player Jere Karalahti released pending trial on drugs charges

Sportsman ordered to stay away from staying away from motorcycle gang hangout

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Espoo District Court released professional ice hockey player Jere Karalahti of the Oulu team Kärpät from custody where he had been held on suspicion of involvement in illegal drug trafficking.
      The court ordered Karalahti to remain in Finland, and not to enter the Helsinki clubhouse of the Bandidos motorcycle gang.
     
Karalahti had been held in custody for a full month. The hockey player demanded his release, noting that the police investigation into his case is nearly complete.
      Karalahti stipulated that keeping him behind bars would be unreasonable; his team had stopped paying his salary during his absence from the ice, and has threatened to sack him if he does not return to work soon.
      Karalahti also has a housing loan, on which he was not able to make payments while in prison.
      He assured the court that he would not flee Finland, as he has a job in Oulu.
      Juha Tompuri of the Espoo Police spoke against releasing Karalahti, saying that he might encumber the investigation, as not all suspects have been apprehended. The police also said that Karalahti had not helped in the investigation.
     
The court was nevertheless convinced that Karalahti is not capable of hindering the investigation, and that keeping him under remand would be unreasonable.
      However, to keep him from fleeing the investigation and the possible trial, the court ordered him not to travel outside Finland.
      In addition to the ban on foreign travel, Karalahti is required to report to police every Monday and Thursday.
      The court also ordered Karalahti not to visit the building in Helsinki where Bandidos motorcycle has a clubhouse.
     
Karalahti is suspected of involvement in trafficking of amphetamines. Police have confiscated large amounts of the drug during their investigation.
      Police raided the Bandidos premises in Helsinki and those of two other gangs in Lohja earlier this autumn.
      About 20 people have been remanded in connection with the investigation. Those arrested have links with the Bandidos group.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Hockey pro Jere Karalahti taken into custody on drug suspicions (8.11.2007)
  Jere Karalahti suspended for six months without pay from NHL (19.8.2002)

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